Last week, two of our six grandchildren spent the first week of school holidays at Pop and Non's place. On Wednesday we took advantage of the weather and boated to the Swansea channel sand islands.
Following a game of footy and snacks, we set off to explore the island and came across a recently used camp area littered with rubbish of all kinds. My nine-year-old grandson said to his seven-year-old brother "we should pick this rubbish up", which they did, completely filling two discarded bags.
I am immensely proud of my grandchildren and extremely disappointed in those who have such little respect for our beautiful lake and its islands. Perhaps the authority over the islands need to pay a visit to the campers and ensure responsibility and accountability?
Mark Singleton, Fishing Point
Ensemble piece shines
I had the privilege of working as dramaturg on Carl Caulfield and Gareth Hudson's musical Karma Kafé, from the first drafts of the book and lyrics to the final rehearsals.
I was disappointed by Simon McCarthy's review ("This ambitious musical satire about Newcastle's cafe culture shoots for the moon", Herald online, 4/10). He has nothing to say about Carl's fascinating lyrics, Gareth's marvellous, uplifting score or Silvia Martinez' excellent choreography; and he seems to me to have fundamentally misunderstood Carl's aims and dramatic technique. He calls for more development of the individual characters, and writes that the script: "at times seems to struggle with deciding what it is".
I do not think this is the case.
Karma Kafé is an ensemble piece, not a vehicle for one or two solo stars like, for example, Evita and Wicked; the dramatic techniques used will be familiar to anyone who knows, for example, Peter Weiss' Marat/Sade, which achieved global acclaim in Peter Brook's famous production.
The fourth wall has been shattered long before the final scene (indeed, the moment Rewa leads into the opening song), and the two closing monologues slow the pace nicely towards the final number, in which Caufield's consistent theme, that preservation is not necessarily opposed to innovation, is spelled out.
Karma Kafé is an inspired, joyous piece of new theatre, and I urge fellow Novocastrians to catch one of the remaining performances this week at the Civic Playhouse.
Michael Ewans, honorary professor of drama, University of Newcastle
Win-win worth pursuing
I acknowledge the pain experienced by my fellow citizens when contemplating the conflicts of the Middle East, Israel and Palestine. I want to point out that we are not powerless, we can lead by example.
Readers in Australia will note that they are on stolen lands. The "Frontier Wars" did not change this. The 3.8 per cent of citizens who identify as indigenous, are not zero, even without a "Voice to Parliament".
I draw attention to the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey. The first habit towards "public victory" is to "Think Win/Win". Without this, WWI led to WWII. There was an end, but not an effective end. The current status quo in cultural relations has led to a large incarceration rate of Indigenous youth - not because of any tendency to be criminal; but because the systems are set up by imposed authority that is only now moving to recognise local lore to which they are abiding. Principles rather than letter of law.
I do not have all the answers. Nor, as an outsider, should I pretend to. But I'll make sure my superannuation is not invested in weapons manufacture; and that the City of Newcastle knows my view on its Defence Industry (missile manufacture) land holdings.
In terms of setting things right in the longer term, perhaps property owners could will all, or part, of their holdings to the local Land Council? They have the heritage to be custodians. Let's resource that identity. Let's identify with intergenerational justice, restorative rather than punitive. At the point of love, rather than of armaments. Take the lead, and set aside the power imbalance.
Andrew Spannenberg, Mayfield
Hubbub over status mystifies
A team has a plan to transform the city into a going-out hub? ("Going to town on plan to turn city into 'a going-out hub'", Herald, 3/10). I could have sworn that the city of Newcastle was already a going-out hub.
However, some Novocastrians seem unsure about the inner-city of Newcastle's status as an entertainment precinct (I would have thought that the dozens of restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs, etc, would be a dead giveaway).
I applaud the team but, to me, making plans to turn Newcastle into a place to go out seems similar to making plans to turn a public pool into a place to go swimming.
Should such plans really be necessary for a city in the year 2024? By the 1990s, 24-hour trading was becoming more common, and now that we live in an age where goods and services are more readily accessible than they have ever been, it astounds me that anyone would ever think it was normal (or even the least bit acceptable) for the trade of Newcastle's licensed premises to go in the completely opposite direction.
Adz Carter, Newcastle
SHORT TAKES
Bloc Fest the best
Huge kudos to the organisers of West Best Bloc Fest, showcasing the might and breadth of Newcastle's music scene and the coolness of Midtown. How lucky we are to live in a city that nurtures and supports so much talent and so many wonderful venues. I can't wait to celebrate Newy Music 'Christmas' again next year.
Natalie Mitchell, Adamstown Heights
Single move to peace
Despite all the commentary and calls for peace in the Middle East conflict, I see no resolution until Hamas releases its hostages. Until this happens, strategically, Israel has little option other than to fight for their return. Why isn't the Australian government pushing harder for the hostages' release? That single move defines if peace can be achieved in the Middle East.
Greg Adamson, Griffith
No choice but to fight back
Peter Dolan's question ("Why is Israel always the target?", Letters, 5/10) has been answered by an old man's sign at a protest in Gaza. "You take my water, burn my olive trees, destroy my house, take my job, steal my land, imprison my father, kill my mother, bombard my country, starve us all, humiliate us all but I am to blame, I shot a rocket back".
Colin Fordham, Lambton
Volunteers driven away
Alan Metcalf ("Jumping through hoops drives away volunteers", Letters, 5/10) makes some very good points. It is getting harder to continue as a volunteer. They are made to jump through too many hoops and are expected to be computer savvy. Retirees have the knowledge and time to give to these organisations, yet they are being driven away.
Boyd Conrick, Redhead
Acceptance process onerous
I agree with Alan Metcalf ("Jumping through hoops drives away volunteers", Letters, 5/10). People who undertake any volunteering position in modern times are asked to jump through so many hoops that I'm sure they ask themselves if it's worth it.
